Why wont Blantons Sell Its straight from the barrel Domestically?

Just wondering. Seems many distillers sell their special offerings overseas. Anybody know why? Doesn't Blanton's realize that their straight from the barrel product would be a direct competitor to the ever-popular Booker's?

Re: Why wont Blantons Sell Its straight from the barrel Domestically?

I don't know this for sure....

I think that the Blanton's label owned by someone other than BT. So, what we get....we get because it has been around so long. If you notice...there are other single barrel expressions from that same mashbill in BT's portfolio. Japan and the far east is their target market.

Re: Why wont Blantons Sell Its straight from the barrel Domestically?

Originally Posted by wxman

Just wondering. Seems many distillers sell their special offerings overseas. Anybody know why? Doesn't Blanton's realize that their straight from the barrel product would be a direct competitor to the ever-popular Booker's?

When I was at HH a few year ago, they were hand bottling their EWSB (I think it was 20yo) that they sold exclusively (at that time) to Japan. When I asked them why they didn't sell it in America, they told me no one in the states would pay what the Japanese would pay for it. So, maybe that's one of the reasons??

Re: Why wont Blantons Sell Its straight from the barrel Domestically?

I received a very quick and polite reply to my email to Blanton's:

Hello,

Thank you for your email. Blanton's is actually produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery, also located here in Frankfort, KY. Due to contractual agreements with them, we cannot sell any of the labels other than Original here in the United States. They actually handle all of our domestic distribution, while we handle the international side of things.

If you are interested in the other labels, the only real way to get any of them is if you, a family member, or friend travel internationally. It is offered in some Duty Free stores in various American airports, but access is only from the international terminals. If you know someone traveling
internationally soon, or you are yourself, you may want to ask them to keep an eye out for you!

***************

So, it seems this is a distribution issue with BT: "Due to contractual agreements with them, we cannot sell any of the labels other than Original here in the United States." Perhaps BT doesn't want to use the shelf space for more than one Blanton's. I think all of us Blanton's lovers should let BT know how we feel.